Stylish specs for your spring peepers

Jun. 4, 2008 2:10 PM

Bold shapes make for popular frames this spring.

Written by

Gannett News Service

Eyewear is not only more fashionable but more affordable, with prices ranging from $79 to $200 and up. Many designers also make generic brands so consumers can get stylish looks for less.

Trends differ when it comes to men's and women's styles, says Lisa Gear, director for product management for LensCrafters, the national eyeglass chain. "Overall, what's really hot right now is color," she says. Multicolored frames are trendy. Popular hues include blues, greens, reds and pinks. Other trends in eyewear include bolder shapes, and frames made with a hybrid of materials. Color is everywhere on eyewear, says Kate Dudas, an clinic optician and frame buyer. Mango and eggplant, black and white and black and red are popular pairings for 2008. Look also for orange and two-tone browns with some blue mixed in. And cranberry is in its fourth year of popularity, Dudas says.

Choosing frame color

Eye color can be enhanced by glasses, so here's Dudas' general guide to choosing an eye-popping frame color (without the benefit of considering skin color and tone):